Preview: Lamar Cardinals at New Orleans Privateers NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — Two Southland Conference teams on contrasting trajectories will meet Monday night when the Lamar Cardinals visit the New Orleans Privateers at Kiefer Lakefront Arena. Lamar (10-8, 4-1 Southland) enters riding a wave of momentum, having won five of its last six games. The Cardinals are coming off a 90-80 road victory at Nicholls State on Saturday. Meanwhile, New Orleans (7-12, 2-3) looks to rebound from a narrow 84-79 home loss to Stephen F. Austin that same day, which snapped a brief two-game win streak. The matchup features two of the league’s most dynamic scorers. Lamar’s Rob Lee is a focal point, averaging 17.8 points per game over his last six contests. He is coming off a career-high 31-point performance in a win over Houston Christian on Jan. 12. For the Privateers, guard Coleton Benson has been on a tear, averaging 19.2 points during the same stretch. He exploded for 30 points in a road win at Southeastern Louisiana on Jan. 12. The Cardinals have found success with a balanced attack and stout defense, holding opponents to an average of 62.2 points in their four conference wins. Their only league blemish was a 60-52 loss at Southeastern Louisiana on Jan. 5. New Orleans has struggled for consistency but remains dangerous at home in conference play, where it is 2-1. The Privateers’ offense runs through Benson, but they will need to improve a defense allowing 79.6 points per game in Southland action to contain Lamar’s surge. This game marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the schools. They will meet again in Beaumont, Texas, on Feb. 21. Lamar’s current run has positioned it near the top of the early conference standings, while New Orleans seeks a statement win to climb back toward .500 in league play. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST Monday.